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William Lai Ching-te

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William Lai Ching-te

The latest news on William Lai, (also known as Lai Ching-te),Taiwanese politician, former physician and currently the 8th president of the Republic of China, including politics news.

Born

6 Oct 1959

Industry

Politics

Job Title

Leader of Taiwan

Ma Ying-jeou (centre), is pictured on a student visit to the mainland last year. His next trip will include attending the Straits Forum in Xiamen, despite Taiwan’s ruling DPP describing the meeting as a “united front tool”. Photo: Xinhua

Former Taiwan leader Ma Ying-jeou to return to mainland China despite warnings

Beijing welcomes former KMT chairman and Ma Ying-jeou Foundation CEO stresses importance of stable cross-strait relations amid tariff war.

11 Jun 2025 - 8:08PMvideocam

Taiwanese YouTuber Gym Boss live-streams unfiltered look at mainland China

11 Jun 2025 - 5:05PM

Taiwan’s latest security measures cut cross-strait travel, prompting pushback

7 Jun 2025 - 6:00PMvideocam

US-China relations

US spotlights Taiwan risks as China’s 2027 defence goal nears

US Admiral Samuel Paparo said Chinese drills around Taiwan are “rehearsals,” as a looming 2027 target for China’s military modernisation heightens focus on the island.

3 Jun 2025 - 5:11PM

Chinese ground forces conduct live-fire drills as part of exercises near Taiwan. Photo: CCTV

Trade war elephant in the showroom at Computex Taipei, Asia’s biggest tech expo

As Trump threatens to reinstate high tariffs on Taiwan, tech-sector exporters reliant on the US market fear the worst.

31 May 2025 - 11:00AMvideocam

My Take | Taiwan’s Lai does not have the cards with Washington or Beijing

By aligning with the US and annoying the mainland, Taipei under the DPP has sacrificed future prosperity and security for little or nothing.

30 May 2025 - 9:00PM

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Letters | Why Taiwan’s Lai Ching-te was silent on cross-strait relations

Readers discuss the policy constraints confronting the Taiwanese leader, mental health in the LGBTQ community, and the challenge of restricting social media use.

29 May 2025 - 11:30AM

Taiwanese leader Lai Ching-te holds a press conference to mark his one year in office in Taipei on May 20. Photo: Kyodo

Mainland China accuses Taiwan of backing cyberattacks on 1,000 sensitive targets

Guangzhou city police say tech company was hit with ‘rudimentary and crude’ methods.

27 May 2025 - 3:45PMvideocam

Taiwan cracks down on public servants with mainland ID and residency

Hundreds of thousands of government and military personnel screened in programme dismissed by critics as ‘loyalty pledges’.

27 May 2025 - 12:00PMvideocam

Why did Taiwan’s William Lai tone down his rhetoric on mainland China?

Lai omitted references to Beijing in a speech marking his first year in office this week, a change noted on both sides of the Taiwan Strait.

22 May 2025 - 9:00PMvideocam

Taiwanese leader William Lai Ching-te delivers a speech in Taipei on May 20, the first anniversary of his inauguration. Photo: EPA-EFE

SCMP Highlights

China’s growing C919 jet network, AI in Chinese military: SCMP daily highlights

From Beijing vowing to react to a possible Huawei ban to ‘candid’ talks between US and China envoys, here’s a round-up from today’s coverage.

22 May 2025 - 4:19AM

China’s homegrown C919 jetliner is seen during a 2024 airshow. The plans is seeing ever-increasing use across China. Photo: Xinhua

China’s military drills

PLA runs amphibious landing drill in strait as Taiwanese leader marks first year

The 73rd Group Army exercises tactics and skills of near-shore driving and landing operations with armoured amphibious vehicles.

21 May 2025 - 3:26PM

Taiwan’s Lai enters second year in office with troubles mounting on all sides

No honeymoon for the leader called inflexible, ineffectual in relations with Washington, and still on a collision course with Beijing.

21 May 2025 - 6:00AMvideocam

Video | William Lai reiterates willingness to talk to Beijing

After island’s shock at Trump’s 32% tariff move, leader commits to ‘never sacrificing any single sector’ in discussions with US

20 May 2025 - 4:11PM

William Lai vows to protect Taiwan security and industry in speech marking year as leader

Taiwan’s William Lai commits to security and industry on leadership anniversary

After island’s shock at Trump’s 32 per cent tariff move, leader commits to ‘never sacrificing any single sector’ in talks with US.

20 May 2025 - 7:58PMvideocam

Taiwanese leader William Lai delivers a speech focused on the island’s security while calling for peace and dialogue with Beijing, in Taipei on Tuesday. Photo: CNA

Taiwan tries to dispel doubts after Trump talks trade ‘unification’

The island’s presidential office says reference did not relate to Taiwan and the situation is unchanged.

14 May 2025 - 9:23PMvideocam

Taiwan currency’s surge ‘a warning’ in Asia’s de-dollarisation: analysts

Is the Trump administration’s hostility pushing the region away from a staple of American power?

7 May 2025 - 6:22PM

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Video | Tens of thousands in Taiwan protest against William Lai

28 Apr 2025 - 12:15PM

Tens of thousands rally in Taiwan against William Lai as recall turmoil engulfs legislature

Can Taiwan still trust the US as Trump tariffs threaten heavy blow?

Poll shows most Taiwanese ‘have lost confidence’ in the US, with social media users saying that after Ukraine, ‘Trump will sell out Taiwan next’.

27 Apr 2025 - 10:00PMvideocam

Taiwan opposition to hold urgent summit amid recall battle with ruling DPP

Ruling party trying to suppress dissent through legal means after losing control of the legislature last year, KMT chief alleges.

22 Apr 2025 - 2:29AMvideocam

Taiwan spy scandals expose frailty of political and military defences

As government aides are investigated, there is alarm over Beijing’s intensifying efforts to undermine Taiwanese authorities from within.

20 Apr 2025 - 8:30PMvideocam

High-level breaches in Taiwan have fuelled fears that Beijing’s decades-long efforts to cultivate spy networks on the island are reaching new levels. Photo: Shutterstock

Taiwan leader’s approval ratings drop amid drive to unseat opposition lawmakers

Polling suggests Lai faces ‘unprecedented levels of public dissatisfaction’ and the Trump tariffs are a further risk to his support base.

16 Apr 2025 - 8:14PMvideocam

William Lai Ching-te took office in May last year but his popularity levels have fallen. Photo: EPA-EFE

Former aide to Taiwan’s security chief expelled from DPP over spying allegations

Ho Jen-chieh, who worked for the island’s former foreign minister Joseph Wu, is suspected of leaking classified information to Beijing.

14 Apr 2025 - 8:41PMvideocam

Opinion | Missed signals only worsen tensions over Taiwan

Addressing two major misperceptions that underpin the dynamics between Washington and Beijing over Taiwan would help promote stability.

8 Apr 2025 - 5:30AMvideocam

Beijing’s surprise blockade drill around Taiwan continues

The drills come days after US defence chief Pete Hegseth wrapped up an Asian tour during which he pushed for a stronger alliance to oppose ‘China’s aggression’ and Taiwan leader William Lai’s recent reference to the mainland as a ‘foreign hostile force’.

2 Apr 2025 - 5:01PM

Taiwan coastguard ship (front) and a Chinese coastguard ship (back) off the Matsu Islands in Taiwan on April 1, 2025. Photo: handout by Taiwan Coast Guard

Taiwan’s civil defence drills go big, but has sense of urgency diminished?

Simulations aim to prepare islanders for natural disasters and wartime, but real challenge is fostering sustained sense of crisis awareness, experts say.

2 Apr 2025 - 10:01AM

People took part in a “defence resilience drill” in Tainan on Thursday, which tested evacuation protocols and temporary shelter facilities for displaced residents. Photo: AFP

China’s military drills

Beijing confirms what Taiwan already knew: PLA did drill near island last week

Days after island leader called mainland a ‘foreign hostile force’, Taiwan reported 59 PLA aircraft and 9 naval vessels nearby.

27 Mar 2025 - 7:34PMvideocam

It’s a family affair: inside Hong Kong’s quest to lure world’s wealthiest clans

Two years ago, the government unveiled eight measures with the aim of attracting affluent families so they could set up family offices.

22 Mar 2025 - 11:18AM

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